Posted in Press Release
The Assembly was unanimous today in offering its condolences and sympathies to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the victims of the earthquake following the disaster that shattered Kagera region on September 10th, 2016.
Resources permitting, the Assembly is also expected to make a visit to the affected Kagera region to appraise itself on the impact of the earthquake as it pledges support in addressing its aftermath.
The Resolution condoling with the victims of the unfortunate tragedy was moved by Hon Shyrose Bhanji and seconded by Hon Nancy Abisai, Hon Yves Nsabimana, Hon Jeremie Ngendakumana, Hon Abdullah Mwinyi and Hon Twaha Taslima.
The Earthquake which read on a scale of 5.7 on the seismograph struck Nsunga, Kagera region in the North-Western parts of Lake Victoria and the resultant tremors were felt far and wide as they rippled parts of Western Kenya and the Republic of Uganda.
The Earthquake shock had a maximum intensity of V11 (very Strong) on the scale leading to a loss of 17 lives, injury of 440 persons and displacement of thousands of people, as well as massive destruction of properties and livelihoods.
The Resolution took cognizant of the immediate intervention by the Government of Tanzania, made through the Prime Minister’s Office. Notably, the Prime Minister’s Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign affairs and EAC Co-operation held a charity walk, whose chief participant was H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The Walk attracted several persons from the local and international community.
In her justification, Hon Bhanji said the earthquake was perhaps the strongest felt in history of the United Republic of Tanzania. The situation got bad and even the academic calendars of schools were affected with authorities having to relocate students to safer grounds.
Key centres such as government buildings, churches, health centres were also damaged in one way or another.At the same time, Hon Bhanji appreciated a number of stakeholders from the private, public organisations and members of the diplomatic community who contributed the initiative in form of financial, moral and material support to address the devastating effect of the earthquake.
“This is greatly appreciated Hon Speaker”, the legislator said. “It is estimated the reconstruction and renovation of the schools alone shall cost no less than 40 Billion Tanzania Shillings”, she added.
Contributing to the debate, Hon Nancy Abisai said the earthquake was felt in many parts of East Africa. “The magnitude of the earthquake was very big and was felt in some parts of Western Kenya. I thank the Republic of Kenya who in the spirit of integration sent contribution as did Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. All Partner States contributed or sent their sympathies”, she said.
“The House passed a Bill on Disaster Risk Management and this should prepare us for the future. Awareness and disaster preparedness is necessary to enable us to know”, she reiterated.
“When you look at Florida and South Carolina, thousands of people were saved as compared to the hurricane disaster in Haiti which claimed many more,” Hon Abisai added.Hon Abubakar Zein lauded all those who came to the aid of Kagera region.
“I thank especially H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi who has gracefully continued to support worthy causes in the region”, he added.Hon Mike Sebalu said out of the cause of H.E. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, a cancer ward has been constructed in Kampala.
“At the rotary walk held in Dar es Salam last week, resources were also mobilized to put up a teaching Hospital in Dar es Salaam, he added. The Legislator called on the region to take matters of disasters seriously.
Hot Patricia Hajabakiga said it was necessary for the Summit of the EAC Heads of State to fastrack the assent of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.Hon Ussi Maryam, Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Dr Martin Nduwimana, Hon Abubkar Zein, Hon Taslima Twaha, Hon Martin Ngoga supported the Resolution. Others were Hon Adam Kimbisa, Hon Mumbi Ngaru, Hon Sarah Bonaya, Hon Isabelle Ndahayo, Hon Mukasa Mbidde, Hon Judith Pareno, Hon Angela Kizigha.
The Chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Hon Dr Susan Kolimba assured the House that the Act on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management was before the Heads of State for assent. She hailed the Partner States for their timely contribution to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Under Article 112 (1) (d) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC, the Partner States undertake to, among, other things, co-operate in the management of the environment and agree to take necessary disaster preparedness, management protection and mitigation measures especially for the control of natural and man-made disasters, which include oil spills, bio-hazards, floods, earthquakes, marine accidents, drought and bushfires.
Posted in Press Release
The days of human trafficking within the EAC region is now numbered. This follows the enactment of the EAC Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill, 2016, this afternoon by the Assembly.
The Bill moved by Hon Dora Byamukama received affirmation from the entire House as it resumed for its 2nd Meeting of the 5th Session. The Bill now awaits the assent of the EAC Heads of State in line with Article 63 of the Treaty of the Establishment of the EAC. In the event that all Heads of State assent to the Bill, it shall become an Act of the Community, taking precedence over the laws of the Partner States on the same matter.
The object of the Bill is to provide for a legal framework for the prevention of trafficking in persons, prosecution of perpetrators of trafficking in persons, provision of protection mechanisms and services for victims of trafficking in persons and development of partnerships for co-operation to counter trafficking in persons in the Community. Prior to enactment, the Assembly constituted itself into a Committee of the whole House and digested the Bill clause by clause, incorporating the amendments.
The debate on the Bill was preceded by the tabling and presentation of the Report of the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges on the EAC Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill, 2016. The Report presented by Hon Maryam Ussi, follows public hearings on the subject matter held in the Partner States in September 2016.
The Report among other things, ascertains that the crime of trafficking in persons is prevalent in all EAC Partner States. In comparing the magnitude of the problem in EAC Partner States with other countries, the Committee referred to the Trafficking in Persons Report published yearly by the Department of State of the United States of America.
The report ranks all countries in the world in to three TIERS: TIER 1, TIER 2, TIER 2 Watch List, and TIER 3 basing on the respective Government’s efforts against trafficking as measured by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) standards. The key parameters considered in ranking countries are actions taken in the prosecution, protection and prevention sections of trafficking in persons of that country.
TIER 1 comprises countries whose Governments fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards. TIER 2 which comprises countries whose Governments do not fully comply with the TVPA minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into the compliance with those standards.
TIER 2 Watch List, comprises of countries whose Governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards. This category further commits to undertake additional steps over the next year in combating trafficking in persons.
TIER 3 on its part, encompasses countries whose Governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are yet to make significant efforts to do so.
According to the Trafficking in Persons Report, published in 2016, the Republics of Kenya and Uganda, are grouped under TIER 2. The Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania are ranked under TIER 2 Watch List, while the Republic of Burundi is ranked under TIER 3.
During the public hearings and interactions in the Partner States, a number of comments were picked from stakeholders to boost the Bill. In Burundi, the legislators were told that parents should be encouraged to take measures towards keeping their children within the family set-ups, while respective Embassies and Missions abroad, should be tasked with liberating and repatriating victims found within their respective stations of duty.
In Kenya, the stakeholders told EALA legislators to ensure the Bill tightens laws against employment agents who sometimes engage in recruiting people for trafficking. They further suggested the proposed minimum penalty of ten years of imprisonment for offenders engaged in trafficking in persons was too lenient and that it should be stepped up.
In the United Republic of Tanzania, EALA Members were tasked to ensure the Bill provides for the protection of People With Disabilities (PWDs) and for the protection of witnesses. They further called on the law to criminalize perpetuators, promoters and facilitators of the offence.
While in Rwanda, legislators were urged to ensure the Bill provides a provision for return of a trafficked persons from the hosting Partner State. This, they suggest should be preceded by a risk assessment and with due regard for his/her safety to the home country.
Legislators were tasked to safeguard the role of Foreign Missions in stemming human trafficking is emphasised in Bill, while on the tour in Uganda.
“The EAC Partner States should form specialised units or focal point offices to handle various aspects of human trafficking like child labour, and prostitution”, the Members were informed.
The Committee also noted that the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, have specific laws on counter-trafficking in persons and which are in tandem with the UN Protocol. However, the penalties for offences under the laws of Partner States differ from one jurisdiction to another. The Republic of Rwanda is yet to enact a specific law on counter-trafficking in persons even though, offences and penalties for trafficking in persons are provided for under the Penal Code.
The Report was supported during debate by Hon Martin Ngoga who said human trafficking was a major problem in the region and called for more concerted efforts in stemming the same. Hon Nancy Abisai said it was important for the modes of adoption to be streamlined and adhered to. Hon Isabelle Ndahayo said corruption was a key factor in the fight against human trafficking.
Hon Chris Opoka said the enactment of the Bill was timely. He remarked that women and children who are vulnerable continue to be trafficked largely for sale of their body-parts. “This ritual must be condemned and discontinued”, he said.
Hon Adam Kimbisa said the region had for several years been a hunting ground for trafficking in persons where able-bodied people have in the past also been. He cited the need to stop wars, eradicate poverty, create wealth and check corruption as a means to stemming the scourge.
Hon AbuBakr Zein, Hon Mike Sebalu, Hon Valerie Nyirahabineza and Hon Dr Odette Nyiramilimo also supported the Bill. Others who rose in support of the report were Hon Susan Nakawuki, Hon Mumbi Ngaru, Hon Patricia Hajabakiga, Hon Nusura Tiperu and Hon Taslima Twaha.